Kibale is the most magnificent of Uganda’s tropical rain forests and one of the most rewarding areas to explore. Kibale is not only the best place to track chimpanzees in Uganda, but also harbours its greatest primate diversity and a thrilling variety of forest birds. Situated ideally in the heart of the Toro kingdom in western Uganda, near fort portal, the park lies close to the tranquil Ndali- Kasenda crater area and is within a half days’ drive of Queen Elizabeth, Rwenzori Mountains and Semliki National Parks. The park became a government forest reserve in the early 1940s’. Kibale boasts of 13 species of primates including the localized Red Colobus, L’Hoest’s monkeys and the endemic Uganda Mangabay. Kibale’s major attraction is the chimpanzees, the delightful apes, most closely to humans than to any other living creature. These can be seen swinging in the tree branches as one treks through the forest trails. While you enjoy your tour in this sunny side nature, you have a life opportunity to sight over 300 bird species. The 180km long migration corridor for wildlife also habits mammals like the elusive forest elephants, buffaloes, giant forest hogs and half a dozen antelope species, thereby making it one of the most stunning parks in Uganda.

Size: 776 sq. km

Location: Kibale National Park is located in western Uganda, 22km southeast of Fort Portal town.

Getting there:

By Road

The 795 sq. km par can be accessed from Uganda’s capital, Kampala, along a newly surfaced road via Kasese (near Queen Elizabeth National Park). The park can also be reached from Kampala via Mubende and fort portal or through Mbarara and Kamwenge. There is daily public transport between Kampala and fort portal by bus.

Air travel

Kibale National Park has access to two airstrips; Nyakisharara airstrip in Mbarara about 98km through kamwenge from Kanyanchu and Kasese air strip, 75km from fort portal town. It can also be reached from the airstrip in Toro / Semliki wildlife reserve, only 86 km from Kanyanchu.

Sebitoli Forest Camp, a secondary tourism center, is even easier to reach. This stands directly on the Kampala road, 12km before Fort Portal. Public transport runs throughout the day between Kampala and Fort Portal (passing Sebitoli) and Fort Portal and Kamwenge (passing Kanyanchu).

What to see and do;
Sebitoli Forest Camp, a secondary tourism center, is even easier to reach. This stands directly on the Kampala road, 12km before Fort Portal. Public transport runs throughout the day between Kampala and Fort Portal (passing Sebitoli) and Fort Portal and Kamwenge (passing Kanyanchu).

Chimpanzee Habituation Experience

This is a lifetime experience that lows accompany Kibale’s researchers and habituation at chimpanzee during their daily activities, thereby getting used to human presence without changing their natural. During your tour, expect coming across the chimps de-nesting (in their nocturnal nests) between 05.30 to 06.30, before them throughout the day till they make new nests and the night around 19.00. The Habituation Experience by tourist for low season months of March, April, May and November.

Primates walk (Chimpanzee tracking)

The most favorite of Kibale’s walks embarks on from the Kanyanchu Visitor center at 08.00 & 15.00 and lasts 2 to 3 hours. Chimpanzee are the most sought after primate by visitors, you will hear them before you see them; from somewhere deep in the forest an excited hooting, just one voice at first, then several, rising in volume and tempo and pitch to a frenzied unified crescendo, before stopping abruptly or fading away, Jane Goodall called it the “ pant-hoot”, call. Chimpanzees don’t live in troops but instead but instead form extended communities of up to 100 individuals, which roam the forest in small, socially mobile subgroups that often revolve around a few close family members such as brothers or a mother and daughter. You should look out for the black & white colobus, red tailed monkey or the grey cheeked mangabey. Your guides will be able to show you pittas & different bird species and will give details of the types of the plant species within the forest. This walk is for 6 people in a group. Advance booking is all-important especially during Peak Sea.

Day hike/ nature walks

This is an experience of the parks’ diverse habitats providing very close contact with nature. The walks begin at 08:00 am, 10:00 am, and 02:00 pm from Kanyanchu tourist centre and take about 2-3 hours. Remind your guide to show you the naked Adam and Eve tree, one of Kibale’s unique wonders.

Birding and night walks

Kibale national park boasts of 372 bird species of which 60 percent are recorded Uganda’s forest birds. Bird watchers can spot various activities in the park. Also there is a night nature walk which allows visitors to track the unique species of birds, animals and insects such as Bat, Owl, Pottos, bush babies, civets, genet cats and Eastern needle nailed; that are most active at night.

Bigodi Wetland Sanctuary

This small sanctuary protects the Magombe swamp, adjacent to Bigodi trading centre and immediately outside the national park boundary. Located just outside the park, is home to 138 bird species which may be seen during guided walks along the boardwalk trail and viewing platforms. These could include the White-spotted Fluff tail, Yellow-spotted Barbet, Hairy-breasted Barbet, Yellow-billed Barbet, Western Nicator, Grey-winged Robin-chat, White-tailed Ant-thrush, Brown-backed Scrub-robin, Black-and-white Shrike-flycatcher, Brown-throated Wattle-eye, Superb Sunbird, Brown-crowned Tchegera, Boscage’s Bush-shrike, Black Bishop, White-breasted Negrofinch and Black-crowned Waxbill among others.

Where to stay

The park has excellent accommodation with Kibale primate lodge that is located in Kanyanchu. Others include up-market accommodation, tree houses and undemanding cottages are discovered at Sebitoli. Every accommodation has a campsite with a restaurant serving both local and international cuisine. Budget accommodation is also found at Bigodi, Nkingo and Ndali crater area. Ndali is well known for its up-market accommodation and other budget alternative such as Chimpanzee guesthouse along with Lake Nkuruba Fort Portal town also has high standard accommodation. Some of the places where to stay include;

• Kluges Guest Farm
• Kyaninga Lodge
• National park bandas and campsite
• Ndali Lodge
• Ntoroko UWA campsite
• Rainbow Inn
• Semuliki Safari Lodge
• Vanilla Inn